By Srinivasan Mohan

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30-Jan-2013 07:58:00

The Bangalore club pipped South United for the Super Division title, but were not shortlisted in the I-League's roster for the second division championship....

Bangalore club Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) put their best foot forward in their bid to participate in the I-League Second Division when the Aircraftmen won the Bangalore Super Division League. The title would have gone to South United had they won against the Madras Engineers Group (MEG). Fortunately for HAL, it wasn't to be.

The championship win has prompted HAL captain RC Prakash to pitch for the club's inclusion in the I-League Second Division after they were guilty of not comforming to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)'s licensing criteria. Rivals South United were the only club from Bangalore to have made the I-League's shortlist for the Second Division.

"More than this title, we and the football fans in Bangalore will be happy if the All India Football Federation (AIFF) gives us HAL another shot at the Second Division. We really deserve it," said the former India international Prakash.

However Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) President and I-League chairman A.R. Khaleel was non-commital about the team's chances.

"I have given a revised action plan to both HAL and Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) Sports Club, which they should fulfill and send to the AIFF at the earliest. I think BEML can get it done, but I'm not sure whether HAL can achieve it within a week," said the I-League Committee chairman.

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